Broncos fans are holding their breath after cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II and Pat Bryant both went down with ankle injuries during Sunday’s tough loss to the 49ers. The word around the league immediately jumped to speculation about whether either or both could land on injured reserve, a move that would sideline them for a minimum of four games.
Payton’s Cryptic Comments Leave More Questions Than Answers
Coach Sean Payton finally addressed the injury questions on Wednesday, and his response was, well, classic coachspeak. When asked directly about the IR possibility, Payton told reporters, “That’s jumping way ahead. I don’t think so, and if they were I wouldn’t say so, but I don’t think so.” You can practically hear the smirk through that quote, right? The key words there, the ones that jump out and grab you, are “If they were I wouldn’t say so.” What does that even mean for the guys on the field? It tells us he’s not about to spill the beans on anything.
What’s Next for the Injured Duo and the Broncos’ Strategy
So, for now, Payton is definitely not saying Surtain II or Bryant are headed to IR. But the team does have a strategic window. They could delay any potential move until Saturday, which would start the four-game clock for their return with the Week 5 game against the Chargers. It’s a classic move to manage the roster without fully committing too early. What we do know for sure is that it’s “unlikely” either of them will be playing this Sunday. Beyond that, don’t expect the Broncos to disclose anything more than what the official injury report absolutely requires. We’re left in the dark, waiting to see if these critical defensive players can get back on the field sooner rather than later.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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